Higher Plain Music

A new gem in UK folk music

Indie folk newcomer live from Sofar New York

Manchester mixes grungy production with folk roots for mixed results

Country Celtic swan song

Tanya’s new EP takes place in a desert, but her musical prowess continues to bloom

Sara Nelms has a real country vibe to her acoustic guitar based music and a perfectly distilled vocal delivery. She reminds me of Tanya Donnelly’s later solo work. There’s a hint of a sting about to happen though and I’m looking forward to seeing how much of a sting there will be in her future […]

Maria Dunn’s folk root music is as honest as the day itself. Maria has a classic tone to her voice and her master of various instruments makes a formidable combination. Her albums showcase a far more broader range of instruments that just the guitar and violin but this is a beautifully performed number and deserves […]

James Nighthawk upon releasing his début album has chosen a perfect title to really get you in the mood for listening to him. “The Twilight Sessions” nestles between acoustic folk veering between tongue in cheek pub shanty’s and delicate deliveries. “Not the One” is a prime example – a very traditional song structure with pristine production values. […]

Justin Levinson returns from his diversion with the Valcours for his own little EP “Take My Time”. Indeed the EP is three tracks long and taking his time is what he does with these tracks. Each track needs warming to. “Take My Time” follows a traditional guitar rock route but takes a while to get […]

Lead of Romantica, Ben Kyle has strutted out to do his own solo album. This is an album of delicate soft acoustic based rock with some wispy light vocals. Ben Kyle opens with “Don’t Settle” which is a gorgeous acoustic rock track. Ben’s vocals are so light in the verses, even when he’s got about five of […]

Patrick Fitzsimmons’ latest full album “Hope Is” is a curious blend of middle of the road acoustic based folk rock with some Celtic flair thrown in for good measure. Opening with “Here For You” which is a radio single in waiting, this is the boldest the album is from the beginning. It’s simple guitar riffs […]

Beth Orton’s fifth full album “Sugaring Season” refers to a time of year over in Vermont, USA when the cane is ready to go. In many ways, Beth Orton’s music style has been ready to go for a while but her acoustic vines have seen her always keep slightly below the radar, especially after the […]

Lay Low is a lovely cute Icelandic singer/songwriter and I love the way she mixes effortless guitar melodies with complex beats. Here is Bye Bye Troubles.

Sheri Miller returns with the cute single “Spoons” complete with ultra cute video! This comes from her EP “Winning Hand”

Sheri Miller popped onto my radar a few weeks back and I had to grab her latest EP “Winning Hand” to hear more. With a delightful blend of catchy rock but with hidden depths beneath the outwardly mainstream veneer, it’s a great collection of tracks to treasure. “Spoons” is adorable. A country uptempo jig with […]

Hotels and Highways debut album “Lost River” is a right old shin-dig of an album. Prepare – just like their press photo – to be tapping away on your porch with a beer, a tambourine and a happy clap. Opener “Train Whistle” is a great alt-country anthem with plenty of twanging guitars, bluesy almost honky-tonk […]

Lou Cowell shares a certain pop masters surname but that’s about all they do share in common. There’s no cheese, no pop – just a soulful singer, a piano and an atmosphere that you can cut with a knife. “Still Around” opens with sparse piano and a cute yet self confidently fragile voice of Lou’s. […]